Only visitors “essential to care” are now allowed to visit patients at Yale New Haven Hospital’s main campus on York Street, in the hospital system’s latest bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
YNHH made that announcement in an email press release issued Monday afternoon.
Effective 8 p.m. Monday, “no visitation” is allowed “other than those visitors essential to care.”
The release also says that “[a]ll visitors who do enter the hospital will be screened by the staff at the front desk. Should questions arise, front desk will contact nursing leadership for guidance.”
“Exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the patient’s clinical team.”
The move comes one day after Mayor Justin Elicker closed City Hall to the public indefinitely after declaring a state of emergency around the spread of the novel coronavirus. Three city residents have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, with the first being YNHH’s chief nursing executive.
The hospital is expected to open up drive-through testing for the virus on Tuesday. It is one of seven hospitals statewide to approve state approval to do so.
This move will stress PCAs and nurses, as family often does simple tasks for patients, helping feed, walk, dress, get reading matter, etc.